Perimeter Shooting Lifts OSU Over No. 22 Baylor

Originally Published: Feb 20, 2010 3:31 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- Oklahoma State’s hot shooting put the Cowboys ahead in the first half, but the team had to rely on consistent rebounding and high-pressure offense to beat the Baylor Bears, 82-75.

Matt Pilgram opened the game with a lay-up, followed by a big shot from behind the arch by Keiton Page.

No. 22 Baylor’s Anthony Jones would answer back with a lay-up on the other end of the court, but it wasn’t enough to stifle the Cowboy’s momentum.

Page was fouled after throwing up a desperate shot with just one second on the shot clock. Page made all three attempts from the charity line, putting the Cowboys up, 8-2.

Another three by Page sent the crowd into a fury and gave OSU the confidence to keep finding the weak spots in the Baylor defense.

Page has been playing with growing confidence the last three games, averaging 19.6 points a game. Prior to that point the sophomore point guard struggled, averaging only 6.33 points per game in the Cowboys’ games against Texas A&M, Missouri and Texas.

The Bears answered back with a three by Tweety Carter, but Fred Gulley hit a lay-up and Page hit another three, extending the Cowboy’s lead to 16-5.

OSU’s James Anderson and Obi Muonelo collectively hit three shots from three-point range, making it seven straight three-pointers for the Cowboys and putting the team ahead 28-14.

The Cowboys suffered a four-minute drought following their offensive hot streak, surrendering the lead to the Bears. After Carter hit a long shot from the three-point line, Josh Lomers hit four straight free throws, followed by a second-chance jump shot by Carter.

The Bears’ 31-30 lead lasted almost ten seconds, but Muonelo hit a big three, putting OSU on top 33-31.

The game’s pace was back-and-forth, as the Cowboys narrowly maintained the lead. The Cowboys were up at haltime, 38-36.

OSU opened the second half with a six-point run and held the lead until the midway point of the second half.

A layup by Carter put the Bears up 54-53 with 9:16 left on the clock. Anderson answered back with a layup, but Carter hit a three to give the Bears the lead once again.

Nick Sidorakis hit a three-pointer, but the Bears' Quincy Acy would once again steal the lead with a layup, and put the Bears on top 59-58.

The neck-and-neck play continued, as the Cowboys capitalized on their three-point shooting from the corners and the Bears kept the high pressure on the Cowboys’ defense.

OSU pulled ahead by seven points with 3:20 left on the clock after a three by Muonelo, a layup by Pilgrim and a fast break by Sidorakis.

A big dunk by Pilgrim pushed the Cowboys ahead further, 77-69, but Carter would again respond with a three.

Muonelo ended the game with 11 points and six rebounds, while Page went five-for-eight behind the arc and three-for-three at the charity line, racking up 22 points. Anderson and Pilgrim both finished with double-doubles. Anderson recorded 31 points and 12 rebounds, while Pilgrim ended with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Baylor’s Carter finished with 25 points, three rebounds and four assists, while teammate Ekpe Udoh ended with 11 points and 15 rebounds.

The Cowboys travel to Texas Feb. 24 to face the Longhorns. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.